In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Week, the County of Stettler is asking area residents to prepare for the unexpected.
As the region regularly sees grass fires, equipment fires, and bale fires due to the many natural hazards and dry conditions, Clint Sime, the County of Stettler’s Director of Emergency Management (DEM), says it is important to know and mitigate the risks.
“When we know the risks, we’re better prepared to take action to prevent and mitigate those risks,” said Sime, via a media release.
“We spend a lot of time with our community partners, identifying risks in their communities which in turn helps them better prepare for those risks. We’re asking our rural residents, farms and ranches to do the same.”
As part of emergency preparedness, the Stettler Regional Emergency Management Authority (SREMA), along with the County of Stettler Ag. Services Department has created a planning document to help ratepayers identify risks on their property, and prepare livestock protection.
The Farm Emergency Plan template is available to all county residents and can be found online at stettlercounty.ca/farmplan.
“Some key steps everyone can take include installing and maintaining portable fire extinguishers, providing clear directions to your property for first responders, and preparing a farm emergency plan,” said Farrah Fischer, assistant agricultural fieldman, in the release.
SREMA oversees emergency response across the region including the Town of Stettler, Stettler County, the Village of Donalda, the Village of Big Valley, and the Summer Villages of White Sands and Rochon Sands.
Business owners in the region are also encouraged to check out the county’s Business Continuity template, available at stettlercounty.ca/businessplan.
For any further information about emergency management in the County of Stettler, contact Sime by phone at 403-742-4441 or email csime@stettlercounty.ca.